The Polymers, Laminations, Adhesives, and Coatings div. of TAPPI is sponsoring two short courses in Dallas, TX, in February 2001 at the Crowne Plaza Market Center Hotel.

The first offering is the Extrusion Coating Short Course from February 12 to 14. After this course, the Film Extrusion and Coextrusion Short Course will run from February 14 to 16. Providing the two courses consecutively offers registrants an excellent opportunity to attend both educational offerings.

Beth M. Wells of Black Clawson is the Chairperson for the Extrusion Coating Short Course, and William W. Bode of Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering Co. is the Chairperson for the Film Extrusion and Coextrusion Short Course. Each chairperson has assembled a group of speakers who are renowned experts in their fields to teach the registrants the current state-of-the art in each subject. Both courses are offered annually and typically attract approximately 75 registrants each. With the experts, this provides a diverse audience of people for many networking opportunities.

Extrusion Coating Short Course The Extrusion Coating Short Course is an introductory level offering that will provide an in-depth overview of the technical aspects of extrusion coating. The sessions will cover polymers and additives, equipment, adhesion, safety, process troubleshooting, safety, and related items. The course will be especially valuable to engineers, scientists, product development personnel, and technical managers who work in extrusion coating and related fields.

Course participants will learn about the extrusion coating process and the latest materials and equipment used in the industry today. Leading experts in the field will answer questions and problems posed by the registrants. The course will examine the technical aspects of extrusion to cover polymers, equipment, process, and end-use requirements. Polymer science fundamentals, resin selection, equipment evaluation, and troubleshooting procedures will also receive emphasis in the presentations.

Registrants who complete the short course should be able to evaluate extrusion coating equipment capabilities and troubleshoot equipment problems. They will also have an understanding of basic polymer chemistry and its application to extrusion and end-use performance. Completing the short course will allow participants to know the influence of various polymers on the extrusion process and apply corona treatment, ozone, and paper, film, and foil primers. Finally, students will learn appropriate safety techniques when using extrusion coating and materials.

Film Extrusion and Coextrusion Short Course The Film Extrusion And Coextrusion Short Course is an intermediate level course to help participants improve their ability to diagnose film extrusion problems and recommend solutions. Students will learn how film fabrication variables influence film properties and how blown and cast extrusion dies work. During the course, participants will hear the latest developments in film extrusion equipment, resins, and processing. A team of industry experts selected for their teaching ability and industry knowledge will lead the program. Registrants will participate in a panel discussion on troubleshooting film extrusion problems. Panel members will include end users and resin and machinery suppliers.

The course is for extrusion engineers, technical directors and superintendents, technical assistants, and research and development personnel employed by converters and equipment manufacturers. Course attendees should have a basic knowledge of film extrusion technology and terminology with 1 to 5 years of industry experience.

After successful completion of the course, participants should be able to discuss the properties of resins commonly extruded into film, explain how these properties influence a multi-level coextruded film, explain how film stabilization and collapsing systems work, and discuss the influence of such variables on film quality. Completing the short course will allow participants to outline the layout and function of a resin handling and gravimetric weighing and handling system and identify an extruder, drive, and screw design that suits a specific application. Finally, students successfully completing the course should be able to describe extrusion equipment and list equipment capabilities.